hook, line, and sinker

hook, line, and sinker

completely. The public isn't swallowing the administration's policies hook, line, and sinker. They made up such a good story that we fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Usage notes: often used in the forms fall for something hook, line, and sinker or swallow something hook, line, and sinker to be tricked into believing something without any doubts

Etymology: based on the idea of a fish so hungry it swallows the hook (= the part that catches the fish), the line (= the string) and the sinker (= a weight attached to the line to keep it under water)

See also: sinker